Youth Revivalism In The 21st Century Church - The Way Forward

I have decided to post the welcome address I presented at the maiden edition of Ibadan Diocesan Youth Summit, held at All Souls' Church, Bodija, Ibadan on the 16th August, 2014 for the public on the above theme.  

On behalf of our Diocesan, The Most Rev. Dr. J.O. Akinfenwa and the Vicar of All Souls’ Church, Bodija, Ibadan, The Ven. Dr. Olasode Olagbaju, I welcome you all to this stakeholders’ summit of youth leaders- youth executives and youth chaplains in our great Diocese of Ibadan. The theme of this summit is “Youth Revivalism in the 21st Century Church – The Way Forward.”

Martin Luther in 1522 said “…even a boy of twenty years knows more nowadays than was known formerly by twenty doctors of divinity.” He said this to express what characterized the 16th Century- the age of the renaissance in religion, literature and art. Of course, if we are to express the characteristics of this 21st Century, they are numerous.

Globalization, Overpopulation, abortion, gay rights, poverty, Disease, War and terrorism, global warming, power in international relations, increasing popularity of digital formats for entertainment media such as movies and music and the advancement of technology are the major issues that characterize this modern day. However, the affected category of people is mostly the youths. The African Youth Charter defines “youth” as “every person between the ages of 15 and 35 years”. Every Christian youth needs to keep himself / herself abreast of the current issues in the world and learn how to tackle these using the Holy Bible as the standard.

The Church of Jesus Christ has been experiencing history’s worst spiritual drought today. People no longer uphold the standard of God but human doctrines and philosophies. Preachers deviate from the truth, there is little or no fire on the altar. This is the time the Christian youths embrace the fusion of secularism and Christianity hence terming “orthodoxy” which means “correctness or sound doctrine” as “old school”. In fact, there seems to be no clear cut boundary between worldliness and godliness in the church today. The love of many is waxing cold (2 Tim.3:1-5). Many who profess to be Christians lack the passion for God’s work. Some who have the passion find it hard to submit to authority and be discipled.

The question is “what do we need?” Revival! Mediocrity cannot help. Rebellion will do no good. Criticisms are meaningless. Zeal without adequate knowledge is a waste of time in or at a time like this, when spiritual and moral depression, decadence, the world and the devil seem to be gaining ground against the gospel. Only a surrendered heart truly broken, sanctified and burning with passion can be of help. The backsliding, carnal and weakened youths, due to sin, need to be revived.

The likes of John Wesley and his brother Charles, Jonathan Edwards, William Barclay and so on, were all instrumental to reviving the church from their youthful days through their intellectual and spiritual gifts cum discipleship.There is the need more than ever before to rely on the extraordinary unction from God in order to explain happenings in the world today. There must be a great awakening on the part of the youths- future leaders of the church- in order to be well-positioned for this great task.

 I therefore call on every leader here to relax and listen with rapt attention to the speakers, Pastor Tolu Mala from the Department of Religious Studies, University of Ibadan; others are The Rev. Niyi Adeyoju, The Rev. Jesujoba Opelami, Mr. Femi Faloye and Mr Seun Fagbemi. They will present their papers on how the youths can understand their role in Church growth and the concept of Discipleship as a means to genuine, lasting and end time revival in this 21st Century in order to move the Church, most especially our great Ibadan Anglican Diocese, forward together with her leaders without any resentment, rebellion, division or strife. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies, renew us and increase in us the capacity for reinforcement to advance of the Kingdom of God here on earth in Jesus’ name. Once again, you are welcome.